Sara Hawthorne thought she had found the man of her dreams. He was caring, protective to a fault and desired her in ways she had only dreamed of. Her life was finally falling into place until a secret tore her new world apart. Reeling from a devastating betrayal, she ran from the only man who had broken down her defenses, making her feel alive after years of simply existing.

Alek Devera risked it all to keep her safe. His own happiness meant nothing if she wasn’t protected. But when Sara ended their relationship, the evidence of his betrayal strewn at her feet, he vowed to win her back, putting their delicate future into fate’s hands.

Will Sara give Alek the chance he needs to explain or will she choose to forge ahead with her simple life, leaving her heart in the shadows along with her dreams for a happily ever after?

“Now is as good a time as any for me to practice self-control, don’t you think?” I asked, knowing full well she was becoming even more frustrated the longer I waited.

She groaned into my neck, her warm breath tickling my skin.

I was waiting her out, her submission being the ultimate goal. I wasn’t going to tell her in words, but rather in actions. She would catch on eventually. I had faith in her.

After a few very long minutes, she finally relented. Halting all movement to try and tempt me to thrust inside her, she expelled a quick rush of air and laid still. Her eyes never left my face, and it was in those pools of beautiful amber that I saw her offer to me.

“Good girl,” I teased. “You know I’m the one in charge in here, right?”